Chiney Ogwumike scores 31 points, 13 rebounds as Stanford rolls

STANFORD, Calif. -- Chiney Ogwumike has seen all kinds of defenses and double teams as Stanford's primary scorer this season, and she's finding new ways to beat them all.

Ogwumike scored 17 of her 31 points in a dominating display of offense in the first 8½ minutes, and fourth-ranked Stanford overwhelmed Oregon State 89-67 on Sunday.

"She taught us a lesson," Oregon State coach Scott Rueck said.

Ogwumike's scintillating start powered the Cardinal (13-1, 2-0 Pac-12) to a 29-4 lead that put the game away in a hurry. She also finished with 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks.

Stanford has won 12 straight since losing at top-ranked Connecticut on Nov. 11, and the Cardinal can thank Ogwumike for leading the way in most of them. From inside and out, the senior center has carried the load.

"I wouldn't say I'm comfortable with my outside shot, because I love being by the basket. But I know I have to take it," Ogwumike said. "I don't think it's ever going to be comfortable until it's comfortable. But it's something I have to do for my team."

Stanford outshot Oregon State 48.5 to 38.3 percent, outrebounded the Beavers 43 to 35 and forced 16 turnovers while committing only six.

Most of Oregon State's production came after the game was well decided. The Beavers (8-6, 0-2) never got within more than 13 points after the opening minutes.

Sydney Wiese scored 15 points and Samantha Siegner had 11 points and eight rebounds for Oregon State, which has lost its last three games to ranked opponents. The Beavers fell to No. 2 Notre Dame on Dec. 29 and at No. 23 California on Friday.

"They definitely exposed a lot of weaknesses," Wiese said. "It was definitely an experience to go up against them, and I'm thankful for it because I'm going to learn and get better as a player and hopefully when I match up against them, whether it's in the Pac-12 tournament or next year, I'll be ready and we'll be stronger."

The latest contest was never close.

Lili Thompson added 19 points and Taylor Greenfield scored 13 for Stanford, which has won or shared the past 13 regular-season conference crowns and seems well on its way to extending that streak. Most of the heavy lifting still came from the Cardinal's unquestioned leader in the middle.

After becoming the conference's career leader in rebounds during Friday's home win over Oregon, Ogwumike eclipsed another milestone in her brilliant collegiate career.

She passed Jayne Appel (2,125) for fourth place on Stanford's career scoring list. By season's end, Ogwumike also could overtake Kate Starbird (2,215), older sister Nneka Ogwumike (2,491) and possibly even Candice Wiggins' conference record of 2,629 points.

What Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer has been pleased with most is Ogwumike's expanding game -- facing up opponents and passing and shooting from the perimeter. And she did just that against Oregon State's 6-foot-6 senior center Ruth Hamblin, who was held to five points and eight rebounds.

"This was a great opportunity for Chiney to show that she's got more," VanDerveer said. "A double-double is just like what we depend on from her and she delivers every game."

The reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year showed off an array of skills on the offensive end to lead another Stanford rout.

Ogwumike scored 17 points to give the Cardinal a 29-4 lead with 11:31 remaining in the first half. While most of the work came inside, she also made three mid-range jumpers.

Ogwumike shot 8 for 13 from the floor during the opening stretch -- and three of the five misses she put back for a layup. She finished 13-for-28 shooting in 33 minutes.

"Chiney was ready in the first half to knock down her outside shot," said Mikaela Ruef, who had 10 points and six rebounds. "I think when you're making outside shots, it's contagious. It was really a good feeling to come out and stomp on them right away."

The Beavers got within 76-63 late in the second half, a run that began after Stanford started to substitute some of its regulars. Ogwumike returned and restored order, keeping Oregon State off the boards -- and keeping the Cardinal well ahead in the process.

The Beavers have not beaten Stanford since 2001.

"Stanford set the tone tonight. They came out and punched us in the face basically for the first 10 minutes of this game," Rueck said. "For whatever reason, we came out a little soft, I thought. And they came out on fire and they played perfect basketball. I don't know how you execute better than they did."